Opinion
Monumental challenge to America
Alon Ben-Meir
Published: 18.02.08, 09:43
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16 Talkbacks for this article
1. Suspicious pre-election time anti-Bush piece
Andras Bereny ,   Kfar Tapuah, Ephraim   (02.18.08)
Suspicious pre-election time anti-Bush, anti-republican piece. Furthermore, the analysis on hamas is erroneous in as much as it became "a political force to recon with" not because "Mr. Bush left the combatants to slug it out by themselves", but precisely because the exact opposite of this, because Mr. Bush or better, the State Department, did not allow the Israelis to fight their war on terror: They pushed for "democracy" in the PA, remember, in an attempt to legitimize the anti-Semitic, anti-Israel forces in the region. Well, the so called "palestinian people" (that exist only on paper and in the wishful thinking of anti-Semitic-sounding Bush advisors like Mr.Baker), elected the hamas terror org into power ruining, at least for the time being, the hopes of the disastrous so called peace-process fans like Peres, Olmert, Bark, Livni on the Israeli side. The distinction between “moderates” and “extremists” clearly is an artificial one, that serves only the interests of a ruling and corrupt elite to cling onto power a bit longer.
2. Illusion
Nora ,   Tel Aviv   (02.18.08)
Not only an Israelo- Palestinian peace is an illusion, but much more important than that, an Islamofashist -Western democracy peace is an illusion.
3. Just another liberal educated beyond his intelligence.
Guy   (02.18.08)
Bush did make mistakes by not bombing syria and iran. He lost his nerve. But clinton, give me a break the guy was totally useless. Just an empty suit.
4. America & The Middle East
Avraham ,   Western Negev   (02.18.08)
America & the rest of the world would do us all a favor & butt out of our business. They are all clueless when it come to understanding what is happening here. Bush & Rice are a 2 person wrecking team!
5. True, Bush made mistakes...
Ram ,   London   (02.18.08)
...but not the kind of mistakes the author refers to. He should have had clear post invasion plans after attacking Iraq and Afghanistan. If anything, he should have used more force to devastate US enemies and not pussyfooted with Syria, Iran and the Palestinian terrorist governments. The shame is more on the EU, Russia and China for not backing the policy of "putting the islamofascists in their place". Well, The EU is already paying the price!
6. Yet more foolish, Progressive squall.
Cameron ,   USA   (02.18.08)
Just more babble & whining about how George Bush failed to take the world by the hand to sing & dance down the Yellow Brick Road toward some imagined hip reality where everyone is digging on one another while clasping hands in the name of brotherhood & prosperity. What, in God's name, is the fantasy vision that always distorts an honest take on the hard, cold world by the Progressive Left? Your piece, Mr. Ben-Meir, comes off as nothing more than a typical Lefty attempt to stack the ills & wickedness of the world solely on the back of George Bush. Whenever I read a diatribe with such Lefty catchphrases as "enlightened" or "bullying" lying within, I intellectually dismiss it & toss it right out the window.
7. Excellent Article - I wish more had his wisdom
Johan Odin ,   Oslo, Norway   (02.18.08)
The US president obviously was out partying during his college history classes, for he has done great harm, not only to the people of the United States who deserved much better, but to entire world. It will take many years to undo the damage that the GW Bush presidency caused. I do hope that process of peace between Palestinians and Israelis will be continued by the international community, for failure to find a solution to end the Israeli occupations has been a failure of many US presidents. So perhaps the International community can intervene with NATO forces as they did in Afghanistan to create a permanent border between the two people based upon the internationally recognized pre-1967 borders. Surely this can be done with some minor adjustments if agreed upon as being fair and just for both sides, and perhaps without US meddling in the region, the World can bring and end to the cycle of violence that has done so much harm to both peoples.
8. totally baseless revisionist drivel...
aaron ,   ra'anana   (02.18.08)
After the mistakes of EHUD BARAK and BILL CLINTON at Camp David the Palestinians launched their 2nd intifada, months before Bush was even elected let alone in office. Instead of rewarding terror with gifts and concessions like the previous Israeli administrations, Bush actually refused to give prizes to murderers and peace-breakers... at least until Ariel Sharon convinced him to back the idiotic and disastrous "disengagement plan" but of course this Leftist professor has already reached the conclusions and is not interested in letting the inconvenient facts get in the way.
9. Bush as Scapegoat
new_york_loner ,   Rochester, NY   (02.19.08)
How clever. For many years now, Israel has quietly directed US foreign policy in the ME, by way of the Israel-first neocons and AIPAC, but when these policies resulted in colossal failures, President Bush was singled out as the scapegoat. It's poetic justice for this Zionist-loving, American head-of-state. He willingly advanced the Israeli agenda and then he got the blame for destroying America's good name in the process. What a fool! Thinking Americans can rightfully blame Israel for America's current predicament. It is past time to disassociate and divest from perfidious, apartheid Israel. With friends like the Jewish State, who needs enemies?
10. America
Marilyn ,   USA   (02.19.08)
The way things played out probably wasn't all his fault. Our government maybe had things that weren't working right for a long time, we just never noticed them. This would include the Clinton administration as well. Also when he erred, as all presidents are bound to do, there should have been someone to pull him back. So I would describe some of this as a system malfunction. I would also say that despite what problems there may be, America still has so many good things going for it.
11. I like Bush
Susan ,   Kfar Saba   (02.19.08)
Afganistan was an ok country until the Soviet Union invaded and messed it up. They left it a failed state and the US had to clean up the mess. I don't agree with everything Bush has done, certainly not the joke of an Annapolis conference, but I agree with 80% of it. Saddam surpassed all known levels of cruelty against the Iraqi people and had to go. I am not so conviced that he didn't have WMD's. We may someday find out where they are buried in the desert or were sent to Syria. As one who had gas masks in my house for years, I am sleeping better now that he is gone. The rest of the world, including the EU, China and Russia refuse to stand against these kinds of dictatorships. They continued to do business with Saddam (note the food for oil scandals with Kofi Annan's son) and now refuse to stand against Iran, whose own people hate their government. If they would behave in a moral way these wars would not be necessary. Instead they run after contracts. They are the real money grubbers who do everything that they always accused the Jews of. How ironic. The US has freed more people than any country ever. Has Bush made mistakes? Yes. But his intentions are good. He wants people to be free. As for Bill Clinton. He was an embarrassment. He couldn't keep his pants on and disgraced the office ot the presidency. As an American living abroad I was ashamed of my president, who I voted for. I certainly don't want him living in the White House again. Also, he let terrorism grow and shortly after he left office Bush was left to clean up the mess of 9/11. He also pushed Oslo and we in Israel are the ones suffering the consequences.
12. There weren't mishaps
USA   (02.19.08)
He went after our enemies instead of appeasing them and letting them grow stronger. The enemy rarely throws up their hands and surrenders immediately. Only liberals do that.
13. middle east adventures
bri ,   phil usa   (02.19.08)
dont blame pres.Bush blame his advisors
14. Open Season on President Bush
David Powell ,   Everett, Wa. USA   (02.19.08)
Susan #11 said it best and cannot improve on what she has said. I didn"t see the author of this article bash our European "allies" for codling extremist Islamo Facists and biships in the Anglican Church of England pushing for Sairia law in England. I hope all you critics of President Bush will feel more comfortable in a Burka.
15. #9, You have a sick, lunatic mind
Jake   (02.19.08)
I can see the mentality of the Blood Libel is still alive and well.
16. #9 New York Loner
john williams ,   Ogden Utah   (02.25.08)
I could not agree with you more. Thanks.
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